Reading Counts is a wonderful motivational program that encourages children to read each night, take quizzes and be rewarded for their efforts, although it may not be a good fit for all children.

Our classroom reading curriculum is founded on reading strategies for comprehension, accuracy, fluency and expanding vocabulary.  A core component of our instruction is providing children with an opportunity to practice these skills in their independent reading.  In addition to our classroom instruction, Reading Counts provides an opportunity for children to be rewarded for reading but is not our reading curriculum.  It is simply a motivational program to inspire children to read more.

Based on a recent discussion among our Georgetown staff regarding teacher and parent concerns for our readers, we want to stress that Reading Counts is an optional program for our children.   Our main goal is to have children reading as much as possible both at home and at school.  Reading Counts has helped motivate some children to stay focused on their reading while receiving incentives and goals to work toward.   We know that this does not motivate all students and we do not want to put added pressure on children and parents.  For this reason, if you feel as if your child is not motivated by the Reading Counts program, you can choose to not have your child participate.

We will still continue to offer opportunities to choose RC books and to take quizzes during the day, as well as require students to read for 15 minutes each night from a book of their choice, whether it be an RC book or another “good-fit” book.  Our ultimate goal is that all children are practicing reading strategies  in their independent reading, whether it be an RC book or any other appropriate text.

If  you have any questions or concerns please feel free to give me a call/email.

Thanks so much for your continued support!

Mrs. Kuieck 🙂